armour of light – Blisswood

There IS a Light!

Pascha Lily Reflecting CandleLight

Christ is Risen!

I’ve found, that even in the darkest of circumstances, there is a Light.

Sometimes, it’s only a pinprick, or a tiny glimmer of Light, but TRUST that Light! Gird yourself with this armour of Light… for it is an immeasurable garment of Grace.

No matter what it takes, the Light WILL help you find a way back, or a way through.

For GOD is that Light.

Through the prayers of our Most Holy Theotokos and of all the Saints, may we allow the Sweet Light and Strength of Love and Hope in Christ, Illumine us all.

Truly He is Risen!

Layers of Lent

Strolling through a verdant Blisswood Grove in Costa Rica~ Pura Vida!

…You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. ~ Romans 13:11-12

Wishing you a Blessed Clean Monday! Let us Spring Clean our souls, Grow in God’s Grace… and Bloom in His Sonshine!

As we sail across the Great Sea of the Fast may our Great Lenten Journeys be Peaceful, and Fruitful – helping us to see Christ in others, and preparing us to joyously reach those Shining Shores of Great and Holy Pascha – the Feast of Feasts… the reason why Christ was Born!

Wishing you all the Bright Joys of the Fast!

Clean Monday, Great Lent, Holy Week – Past Blisswood Posts Resource

With Eyes Brighter Than the Sun

A Glimpse of His Gladsome Light Spied from a Church Parking Lot

When praying alone, and your spirit is dejected, and you are wearied and oppressed by your loneliness, remember then, as always, that God the Trinity looks upon you with Eyes brighter than the sun; also all the angels, your own Guardian Angel, and all the Saints of God. Truly they do; for they are all one in God, and where God is, there are they also. Where the sun is, thither also are directed all its rays. Try to understand what this means. ~ Elder Herman of Mt. Athos

We are promised that in the Kingdom of Heaven we shall see God face to face. We will look upon his countenance. “In Thy light shall we see light.” …we shall forever gaze into His eyes. That’s all the definition of bliss we need. ~ Fr. Vladimir Berzonsky

The autumnal sun
hidden behind dull gray clouds
shines, notwithstanding.

Like zillions of others, the light, or lack of seasonal light can influence many. As we begin “autumn’s fall” in rainy northern hemispheres, I’m already well aware the coming dark and dreary months of gray days affect myself and others. Lord have mercy! Granted, at the beginning of fall, there’s some consolation in observing allegro duets of brilliant, crimson deciduous leaves and occasional glimpses of golden, gleaming sunshine. But, later, sometimes it’s hard to remember that above those dark and dismal clouds, there’s always Sonshine! Recalling that this is just for now, and persevering with hope and faith; we, as children of Light, perceive our pianissimo results are worth the effort. For our Triune God, is Everywhere Present and Fills all things. He Knows our small efforts and struggles, and He holds out His Arms to embrace the whole world. For, He IS the Fountain of light, and in His Light, we shall see Light!

In a New Light

Today’s Walk at Dawn ~ Shared by Irena

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. ~ Romans 13:12

Each day dawns shiny and new! May God help us to see things – in a New Light!

Light of Light…

The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. ~ Psalm 36:9

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. ~ St. John 8:12

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:6

…Light of Light, True God of True God… Excerpt from the Nicene Creed

O Lord, enlighten my darkness. ~ St. Gregory Palamas

We are all vessels, sometimes of Light and sometimes of Darkness. ~ St. Gavrilia

On the way home after an evening Vigil, a rising full moon’s reflective light pierced the darkness, transforming everything into a beautiful mystery. It brought to mind the first Scripture verse I had ever memorized. A gladsome verse, that even as a young child, I’d found simply delightful. Practical. Illuminating… Thy word is a lamp for my feet, a light unto my path. ~ Psalm 119:105

The second scripture verse I ever memorized soon after was… Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. ~ Psalm 119:11

The efforts of memorizing these verses were akin to discovering and collecting hidden treasure, something precious to carry within, the rest of my life.

Sweet Lights of Hope

Image by Katherine Hanlon at Unsplash

As the candle is pure (pure beeswax), so also should our hearts be pure. As the pure candle is supple, so also should our souls be supple until we make it straight and firm in the Gospel. As the pure candle is derived from the pollen of a flower and has a sweet scent, so also should our souls have the sweet aroma of Divine Grace. As the candle, when it burns, mixes with and feeds the flame, so also we must struggle to achieve theosis. As the burning candle illuminates the darkness, so must the Light of Christ within us shine before all, that God’s name be glorified. As the candle gives its own light to illuminate one in the darkness, so also must the light of the virtues, the light of love and peace, characterize a Christian. The wax that melts symbolizes the flame of our love for our fellow men. ~ St Symeon of Thessaloniki (c. 1381–1429)

May we let the Sweet Lights of Love and Hope in Christ illumine us all!

The Light of Truth

Photo by Olga Kononenko on Unsplash

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. ~ St. John 8:12

In order to remind us that before anything else the Creator of the world created light, and after that everything else in order: “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). And it must be so also at the beginning of our spiritual life, so that before anything else the light of Christ’s truth would shine within us. From this light of Christ’s truth subsequently every good is created, springs up and grows in us. ~ St. Nikolai of Ohrid

Through the Divine Spark of the Holy Spirit, it’s Our Time to Shine.

Let us be as noetic Candles, Aflame with Zeal, and exude the Sweet Aroma of Divine Grace… Christ’s Light of the Virtues.

May your day brim with Light!

In Thy Light…

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. ~ Psalm 36:9

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ~ St. John 1:5

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~ St. John 8:12

We are all vessels, sometimes of Light and sometimes of Darkness. ~ St. Gavrilia

O Lord, enlighten my darkness. ~ St. Gregory Palamas

A recent evening walk along the beach was exhilarating. The Light? Perfect. Mysterious. Discovery of tiny mirrors of the great were reflected in the rocky outcroppings of tidal pools.

The phrase “…For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy Light we shall see light; O continue Thy mercy unto them that know Thee…” from the Doxology Hymn, resounded joyfully and encouragingly in my heart. Indeed! Nature is the Secret Gospel!

Reflecting the Refulgent

Orans Icon

The fasting season is a period of spiritual illumination and of adorning the soul with the sanctifying presence of God. ~ Patriarch Daniel of Romania

Fasting supports the prayer of a believer who considers his connection with God as the centre, the Light, and the nourishment of his soul. ~ Patriarch Daniel of Romania

Today is also one of the feast days for the ancient, Miraculous Kursk Root Icon: Theotokos of the Sign (Orans). It’s a Holy Consolation which many of us have been blessed to venerate in person.

May we try to emulate our Most Holy Theotokos by always saying “yes” to God, for in doing so… we shall thrive and shine – reflecting the True and Illuminating Light of Christ!

May your Lenten Journey be Peaceful and Fruitful!

6th century Akathist (Hymn) to the Theotokos chanted in English

The Endless End

Daybreak – Kauai 2023

…O Christ the true Light, who enlightens and sanctifies every person who comes into the world: Let the Light of Your countenance shine on us, that in it we may behold the Uncreated Light. ~ Excerpt from Prayer of the Hours; 1st Hour